shirk

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb avoid (one's assigned duties)
  2. verb avoid dealing with

Etymology

First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

fiddle, shrink from, goldbrick

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